West Tennessee Attractions: Elvis Presley's Graceland

Thirty years after his death Elvis Presley still has millions of fans. Each year a number of those fans embark on a pilgrimage to Memphis, Tennessee, to visit one of West Tennessee's most famous attractions: Graceland.

Graceland opened to the public in 1982 and has hosted millions of passionate visitors since then. The peak of Elvis hysteria comes each August during Elvis week when Graceland celebrates the anniversary of Elvis Presley's death. Tens of thousands of fans converge at the site to experience Graceland and hold a candlelight vigil for the deceased King of Rock 'n' Roll.

Graceland also celebrates Christmas in a big way and invites fans to visit during the Christmas season. Elvis loved Christmas and decorated Graceland when he lived in the mansion. His original decorations are still used each Christmas season. The decorations stay up through the celebration of Elvis's birthday in January.

Elvis's birthday on January 8 offers Elvis fans a second chance to celebrate the King. It is a condensed version of Elvis week, complete with concerts, ceremonies and celebrations.

Graceland is located 3734 Elvis Presley Boulevard. A trip to the Graceland includes a tour of the museum that contains many Elvis artifacts and leads you through the stars journey from nothing to super stardom. The tour is an audio guided tour that leads you through the bottom floor of the mansion. It includes the living room, music room, dining room, kitchen, basement, media room, bar and billiards room, the famous Jungle Room, and rooms that display some of Elvis' personal belonging and his trophies. You will also see his shooting range, stable of horses, a racketball court that now displays his trademark sequin jumpsuits, and the Meditation Garden where Elvis, his mother, father and grandmother are buried.

If you want the complete experience as a fan you should stay at Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel. Located across from Graceland, the hotel plays Elvis movies 24 hours a day and has great features like a heart-shaped pool.

Graceland operates year round, but has different hours during the year, so make sure you check the schedule before planning your visit. March through October Graceland is open Monday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During November it is open Monday through Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. December through February Graceland is open Monday and Wednesday through Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Mansion is closed on Tuesdays but Plaza attractions are open Monday through Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.